Ruminas frowned.
She didn't find any of this particularly necessary; she just wanted to quickly understand more about herself.
But then—
Among the kneeling monsters, a massive one suddenly returned from outside. It saw the others bowing and then noticed Ruminas standing there, basking in their reverence, and let out a roar.
"Oh, it seems this one was the former king of this place," The Parasol Lady smiled.
Ruminas showed no expression, silently observing the monster before her. She had already marked it as an enemy to be eliminated but continued watching to identify its weaknesses.
"Just the chance for you to test your strength," The Parasol Lady said.
This monster towered over the others, its body covered in glossy black scales, its golden eyes blazing with rage. Each of its heavy steps caused the ground to tremble. The other monsters immediately parted, not daring to block its path.
Ruminas didn't react immediately; she quietly observed, analyzing its every move.
Thick scales… well-developed muscles… its speed might not be fast, but its strength was undoubtedly superior.
Suddenly—
It charged.
No warning, no preamble—just a direct strike with a force that tore through the air.
But Ruminas didn't move.
She waited.
Until the last moment—
She tilted her head.
BOOM!
The monster's massive fist slammed into the ground, creating a large crater. But the blow missed its target.
Ruminas had dodged perfectly.
She raised her arm, her claws extending instantly, and delivered a swift slash across the monster's chest. The tough hide shattered effortlessly under her strike.
"Impressive," The Parasol Lady laughed.
The monster roared and charged again, but this time Ruminas didn't even move. Her hair strands twisted together, elongating and stabbing forward.
One thrust pierced its chest, another its arm, then its leg, followed by countless more.
Black blood flowed out, and the monster was pinned in place, unable to resist.
"Finish it quickly," The Parasol Lady said.
Ruminas lifted the monster high, swinging it back and forth, smashing it against the wall and then the ground. Finally, she ended it with a direct claw strike to its heart.
The monster let out a final roar before collapsing, its life extinguished.
[Received: 800 EXP, 5 Essence Crystals]
"Not again…" Ruminas murmured.
"That voice is back," she said, turning to The Parasol Lady.
"It's fine. Clean up, and I'll explain everything," The Parasol Lady replied.
Ruminas looked down at the lifeless monster at her feet, its black blood spreading like a puddle. The other monsters remained kneeling, not daring to make a sound.
They had witnessed the absolute disparity.
Ruminas needed no weapons, no complex tactics. With simple movements, she had torn apart the one considered the king of this place.
But she felt nothing about it.
No triumph, no cruelty, no satisfaction.
She only felt… empty.
"Come, welcome your new king," The Parasol Lady said, addressing the monsters.
The monsters seemed unsure but had accepted the change. Some howled in excitement, while others began gathering offerings for Ruminas, though she ignored it all.
"Let's go," The Parasol Lady took Ruminas's hand. "Lead us to the king's quarters," she commanded the monsters.
A small monster stepped forward, volunteering to guide them. The two were led to a large cave deep within the area.
Ruminas looked up at the ceiling, where sharp stalactites hung precariously, as if ready to fall at any moment. Faint light from scattered crystals embedded in the walls cast an ethereal, mystical glow.
"Is this the king's residence?" The Parasol Lady asked, her tone laced with mockery.
The small monster trembled and nodded.
Ruminas stepped inside. The scent of mold mingled with the lingering stench of blood from past battles. In one corner lay the bones of various creatures.
However, she didn't like this place.
"What do you think?" The Parasol Lady asked.
"…I don't like it," Ruminas replied curtly.
"Alright, we'll renovate it to your liking," The Parasol Lady said, pulling Ruminas toward a large rock that resembled a crude bed.
"These monsters sure know how to live," The Parasol Lady chuckled.
"Now… explain to me… quickly…" Ruminas said, her voice now more fluent than before.
"Very well…" The Parasol Lady smiled and began explaining step by step—starting with the state of this world, the functions of the system, and the mission Ruminas was undertaking.
"So… I… used to be… human?" Ruminas asked.
"Do you miss that?" The Parasol Lady countered.
Ruminas fell silent, lost in thought.
She only wanted to know these things, but once she did, she didn't know what to do with that knowledge. Whether she was a monster now or a human before, she no longer felt much emotion.
"Your silence means you don't, right?" The Parasol Lady asked.
Ruminas didn't respond, but her hesitant gaze answered for her.
"If that's the case, why bother caring? Whether you're human or a monster, no one out there is waiting for you. Even if there were, they'd reject and hate you once they see you've become a monster. But I'm different—I'll accept everything about you. Just be yourself," The Parasol Lady said earnestly.
Ruminas pondered her words seriously.
As The Parasol Lady said, she had no expectations. Being human or a monster didn't matter, as long as she could survive.
"Do you crave power?" The Parasol Lady asked.
Ruminas thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"Then what do you want right now?" The Parasol Lady pressed.
Another question plunged Ruminas into deep thought. If she were a mindless monster, it wouldn't matter, but unfortunately, even after her transformation, she retained her human consciousness. A sentient being couldn't live forever without meaning.
"Perhaps… finding meaning… in life…" she answered.
"Good, but to do that, you'll need power. Even in a small monster collective like this or the world beyond, power is what decides everything. Without it, you won't even have a chance to live," The Parasol Lady whispered into Ruminas's ear.
Her words carried an invisible allure, gradually influencing Ruminas's mindset.
"Power…" Ruminas murmured softly.
"Yes, and I'll help you gain even more," The Parasol Lady said.
"Alright…" Ruminas agreed.
"Excellent. One more thing. As for your name, I won't tell you. Remembering it yourself will mean more, or you don't even need to use your old name. If you don't mind, I can give you a new one."
Ruminas frowned.
"How about Ji Yue Fang for your new name?" The Parasol Lady giggled.
"Don't… decide… on your own…" Ruminas protested, though she didn't object further.
"Your life from now on will be very different. You'll have to let go of some things from before, but others left unfinished will need to continue—and I'll guide you on that path."
"You… don't need to… repeat it so much…" Ruminas said.
"Fair enough, just wanted to remind you," The Parasol Lady replied.
"…What's… your name?" Ruminas suddenly asked.
This time, it was The Parasol Lady's turn to fall silent. "You want to know?" she asked back.
Ruminas nodded.
"Very well, you can call me Qin Wanshu," The Parasol Lady replied.
"Wanshu…"
"Yes, remember that name well. Now it's time to address the current matters."